CHILDREN in care are waiting for homes as social workers struggle to find adoptive families for them.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackburn Diocesan Adoption Agency are working together in the hope of recruiting more potential parents or families.

An information evening has been organised for Thursday at the social services department, Jubilee House, Jubilee Street, Blackburn, at 7.30pm.

Karen Barrick, principal social worker for adoption, said: "The Government is aiming to increase the number of children looked after by local authorities who are placed for adoption.

"The outcomes for children who remain in long-term care are poor in comparison to children placed for adoption.

"Currently there are almost twice as many children needing adoption as there are people approved as adoptive parents.

"In addition, many of the children identified for adoption are not suitable for the families waiting to adopt."

The children needing families are likely to be of junior school age, often have behavioural problems or delayed development and sometimes need to be placed with a brother or sister.

Karen said the information evening would be informal and was designed to provide people with information to help them decide if adoption was right for them.

"No pressure is applied to people who attend and individual interviews are available for those who wish to pursue their interest further.

"People from all backgrounds are welcome, whether they are married, single, divorced or unemployed," she said.

Anyone who would like more information before the evening can e-mail adoption@bdaa.fsnet.co.uk, contact the diocesan adoption agency on 01254 57759 or the social services department's family placement team in 01254 587828.